Driving mechanism for centrifugal machines.



PATENTBD JULY 14, 1903.

G. ENGEL. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR GBNTRIPUGAL MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

III

INVENTOR gm TTORNEYS WITNESSES use the same.

UNITED STATES Patented July 14, 1903.

PAT NT OFFICE.

GODFREY ENGEL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 733,377, dated July 14, 1903.

Application filed September 11,1902. erial No. 122,932. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GODFREY ENGEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Centrifugal Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and My invention relates to improvements in driving mechanism of centrifugal machines, and particularly to improvements in driving mechanisms comprising directly-connected motors, such as electric motors or steam-turbines.

My invention consists in the novel manner of supporting the motor and basket-shaft, whereby free gyration of said shaft and its basket are permitted without disturbing the concentric relation of the rotary and stationary parts of the motor, and in the novel construction of the bearings of the machine, whereby wear may be taken up without dis turbing such concentric relation of the said rotating and stationary parts of the motor and without changing axially the position of the rotating member with reference to its surrounding stationary member.

Myinvention also consists in the means provided for lubricating the bearings and generally in the novel construction of the machine, all as hereinafter set forth in the claims.

In the construction of centrifugal machines it is necessary to provide for gyration of the basket-shaft and basket, so that these parts may find their proper center of rotation.

YVhen such machines are driven by directlyconnected motors such, for example, as electric motorsit is most convenient to mount the armature or other rotating member of the motor upon the basket-shaft itself. Since in order that an electric motor may be efficient there must be the smallest possible space between the periphery of its armature and the surrounding field portion of the motor, it is essential that this field shall be so mounted as to gyrate with the shaft. According to my invention both parts of the motor and the basket-shaft are all hung from a suspensionhead having a flexible or universally-jointed support, which permits free gyration of said head and of the parts supported thereby. The weight of the basket-shaft and basket and the contents of the latter is transferred to the suspension-head through supporting means, which may be either internal orexternal with respect to the basket-shaft. The armature or rotating member of the motor is carried by the basket-shaft, and the field or stationary portion of the motor is carried by the said suspension-head.

The objects of my invention are to improve the construction of the'driving mechanism of centrifugal machines, and particularly of centrifugal machines driven by directly-connected motors, to provide for free gyration of the basket-shaft without altering the relative concentric arrangement of the parts of the motor, to provide for taking up Wear of the bearings without altering the relative concentric arrangement of such'partsof the motor or their relative lateral positions, to improve the means for supporting the weight of the basket-shaft, basket, its contents, and the motor, to lubricate the bearings efficiently, and to make the machine as simple, compact, and durable as possible. I

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain forms of centrifugal machines embodying my invention .are illustrated, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows an elevation and partial section of one/form of electrically-driven centrifugal machine having the motor, basket-shaft,and basket suspended from the gyrating suspension-head, as above described, the basket-shaft and basket being supported from said suspension-head by an external suspension-frame. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing, on a larger scale, the upper bearing shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail section illustrating an alternative arrangement of an upper bearing which may be employed in the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a vertical section of another centrifugal machine, the basket-shaft, basket, and motor of which are likewise suspended from a gyrating suspension-head, the means by which the basket-shaft and basket are supported being a suspension-rod lying within the basket-shaft, which is hollow;

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and first more particularly to Figs. 1

and 2 thereof, the machine there shown is suspendedQfrom a socket-piece 1', having a substantially spherical socket, by means of a suspension-head 20f spherical form, fitting within said socket and provided with a suspension-bracket 3, from which the curb 4: of the machine is supported by suspension-rods 5. The basket-shaft 6 is supported from this curb, and therefore from the suspension-head, by means of a spider 7, having supporting and guide bearings for the lower end of said shaft. The hearing by which the upper end of the basket-shaft is guided consists of a bearing-socket 8, formed in the upper end of said basket-shaft, which socket is preferably provided with a bearing-bushing 9 and a stationary taper pintle-pin or spindle 10, fitting into this socket and bushing. This pin is supported and carried by the suspension-head 2 and for purposes of adjustment is screwthreaded and is provided with nuts 11 and 12, by means of which said spindle may be moved up or down with respect to the suspensionhead and basket-shaft. To insure perfect centering; of the pintle-pin, the'adjustingnuts 11 and 12 are provided with cylindrical and accurately-turned shoulders 13, fittingclosely within corresponding recesses in the upper and lower sides of the suspensionhead. A lock-nut 14 isalso provided.

The shaft 6 carries the revolving member of a motor by which the machine may be driven. The particular motor illustrated is a three-phase induction-motor, the armature 15 of which is carried by the shaft 6, the field 16 being secured to the suspension-bracket 2.

It will be observed that as the basket-shaft and basket gyrate during the operation of the machine such gyration takes place from the bail-and-socket suspension-joint as a center, the suspension-head 2 and the curb 4 and motor-field 16 all partaking of this gyration equally with the basket-shaft, basket, and motor-armature. Also, it will be noted, since wear of the bearings is taken up by moving the spindle 1O downwardly by means of the nuts 11 and 12, the armature of the motor remains truly concentric with respect to its surrounding field. close approach of the armature to the field of the motor is permissible. Also since adjustment for wear is made without moving the armature to one side or the other in the direction of its axis the efficiency of the motor does not decrease with wear of the bearings.

In another application for Letters Patent, filed September 1, 1900, Serial No. 28,852, I illustrated and described and claimed a suspension centrifugal machine having upper and lower bearings constructed substantially as above described except that the pintlepin of that machine is not adjustable verti- For these reasons a very,

cally. The machine shown in that applicati0n.is intended to be belt-driven.

Instead of employing a stationary pintlepin, as shown in Fig. 1, I may employ the construction shown in Fig. 3, in which the basket-shaft is provided with a tapered journal 17, fitting within a correspondingly-tapered bearing-bushing 18, located within an aperture of the suspension-head, the bearingbushing being arranged to be adjusted by means of nuts upon screw-studs 19.

One portion of my invention residesfin the means employed for oiling the upper hearing of the centrifugal machine. (Shown in Fig. 1.) i For this purpose the pintle pin 10 is provided with a central bore 20, communicating at'its upper end with a slot 21 in the side of the pintie which is opposite an oilhole 22 in the suspension-bracket, to WhlOh an oil-cup 23 isconnec'ted. Variousradial oil-holes 24 radiate from the central oil-passage and serve to supply lubricant'to the friction-surfaces of the bearing. The bottom of the bearing-recess in the shaft 6 forms an oil-well and maybe drained by means of a passage 25, normally closed at its lower end by a screw-plug 26. An oil-cup 27 surrounds the top of the basket-shaft. In the operation of the machine oil travels upward along the surface of the bushing 9 and pintle 10 by reason of centrifugal action due to the rapid rotation of this shaft and the taper of the pintle-pin, such oil collecting in the oil-cup 27. When the machine comes to rest, this oil will drain backward through oil-holes 24 and central oil-passage 20.

I have shown the machine as provided with a brake mechanism 28, which does not require description. Between the brake and the motor sufficient space is left to permit the installation of automatic starting device.

Instead of employing external suspension means, comprising side rods 5, the curb 4, and the spider 7, for supporting the basket-shaft and basket from the suspension'head 2, Imay employ an internal suspension-rod, as shown in Fig. 4. In this-form of machine the basketshaft (here numbered 29) is hollow, and the suspension-rod 30, suspended from the suspension-head 2, lies within said shaft and is provided at its lower end with the usual bearing for the lower end of the basket-shaft. In this form of machine I prefer to constitute the suspension-rod 30 a bearing-pintle similar to the bearing-pintle 10 of Fig. 1, and for this reason the upper portion of this rod 30 is slightly tapered and fits within a tapered bearing-bushing 31, located within a socket in the upper portion of the shaft 29. Wear is taken up by raising said bushing, which may be done by means of adjusting-nuts on the studs 32. The motor illustrated in connection with this machine is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and requires no separate description. The curb 33 of this machine may be supported in any suitable manner. I have shown for the purpose the IIf ordinary suspension-rods but it is not necessary to support the curb in such manner that it gyrates with the basket-shaft if sufficient clearance between the basket-shaft and curb be provided.

Instead of employing an electric motor for driving the basket-shaft other forms of motors may be used.

The lower bearing of the machine shown in Fig. 1 is shielded at the top by a guard or shield 34:, which prevents the contents of the basket from entering said bearing as they are discharged from the basket. This guard is secured to the collar 35 of the basket-shaft by the same bolts 36 which secure the basket 37 thereto.

The construction of the lower bearing of the machine shown in Fig. 1 is the same as that shown in-my aforesaid application for Letters Patent filed September 1, 1901, Serial No. 28,852.

It is obvious that my invention is susceptible to many variations and modifications and that Various forms of bearings may be used. I do not limit myself, therefore, to the particular constructions shown in the drawings and herein described.

What I claim is 1. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a suspender therefor stationary as to rotary motion, but having means of support arranged to permit free gyration of said suspender and of the basketshaft, of a motor for driving said shaft, located below the point of support of said suspender, and comprising concentrically arranged members, one carried by said shaft, the other by said suspender.

2. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a suspender therefor stationary as to rotary motion, but having means of support arranged to permit free gyration of said suspender and of the basket-shaft, of a motor for driving said shaft, located below the point of support of said suspender, and comprising a rotary member and a stationary member, the latter carried by the gyratory suspender.

3. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a socketpiece for supporting the machine, a suspension-bracket having a head coacting with said socket, said socket and head arranged to permit free gyratory motion of the bracket, and a basket-shaft revolubly supported by said bracket, of a motor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member carried by the shaft and a stationary member carried by the bracket.

4. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non-revolving suspender having universallyjointed supporting means, and a basket-shaft revolubly mounted and supported by said suspender, of a motor for driving said shaft,

located below the point of support of said suspender, and comprising a rotating member carried by said shaft and a stationary member carried by the suspender.

5. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non-revolving suspender having universallyjointed supporting means and comprising upper and lower basket-shaft bearings, and a basket-shaft, of a motor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member carried thereby, located below the point of support of the suspender, and a stationary member carried by the suspender and surrounding the rotating member concentrically.

6. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non-revolving pintle-suspender having flexible or universally-jointed supporting means, and a basket-shaft revolubly carried thereby, of amotor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member carried thereby and a stationary member carried by the suspender and surrounding the rotating member concentrically.

7. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft and a motor for driving the same comprising a rotating member secured to and carried by said shaft and a stationary member surrounding said rotating member, of bearings for said shaft, comprising adjustable self-centering means for taking up Wear and preserving a concentric relative arrangement of the revolving and stationary members of the motor.

8. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non-revolving suspender having flexible or universallyjointed supporting means and comprising basket-shaft bearings, and a hasket-shaft, of a motor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member carried thereby and a stationary member carried by the suspender and surrounding the rotating member concentrically; said bearings comprising adjustable self-centering means for taking up Wear and preserving a concentric relative arrangement of the revolving and stationary members of the motor.

9. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non-revolving suspender having flexible or universally -jointed supporting means and comprising bearings for the upper and lower ends of a basket-shaft, and a basket-shaft;of a motor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member carried thereby and a stationary member carried by the suspender and surrounding the rotating member concentrically; said bearings comprising adjustable self-centering means for taking up wear and preserving a concentric relative arrangement of the revolving and stationary members of the motor.

10. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a gyrating non -revolving pintle-Suspender vertically arranged, having flexible or universallyjointed supporting means, and provided with bearings for supporting and guiding a revoluble basket-shaft, of a basket-shaft, and a motor for driving the same comprising a rotating member carried thereby and a stationary member concentrically arranged with respect to the rotating member and carried by the Suspender; said bearings comprising adjustable self-centering means for taking up wear and preserving a concentric relative arrangement of the revolving and stationary members of the motor.

11. In driving mechanism for-centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a gyrating non-revolving suspender supporting the same and having bearings therefor, of a motor for driving said shaft comprising a rotating member secured to and carried by the shaft and a stationary member carried by said suspender and concentrically arranged with respect to said rotating member; the bearings for said shaft comprising a stationary member fitting within a corresponding revolving member, the latter provided with a split bushing and taper thread for the purpose of diminishing the bore of the same and for taking up wear.

12. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a motor for driving the same comprising a rotating member secured to and carried by the shaft and a stationary member surrounding said rotary member, of bearings for said shaft comprising an adjustable tapering stationary member fitting a correspondingly-tapered revolving member, said adjustable member being movable for the purpose of taking up wear, and being arranged to preserve a concentric relative arrangement of the revolving and stationary members of the motor.

13. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a motor for driving the same comprising a rotating member secured to and carried by said shaft and a stationary member surrounding said rotary member, of bearings for said shaft comprising a stationary journal fitting withing a bearing-socket of said shaft, both journal and bearing tapering toward the opposite end of the shaft, and means for taking up wear.

14. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a motor for driving the and carried by said shaft and a stationary member surrounding said rotary member, of f bearings for said shaft comprising a stationary journal fitting within a bearing-socket of said shaft, both journal and bearing tapering toward the opposite end of said shaft, and the journal being axially adjustable.

15. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a supporting-bearing therefor, said shaft having also a tapering bearing-socket for the reception of a pintle-pin, of a taper pintle-pin, a bracket for supporting the same, and adjusting-nuts for said pin having cylindrical portions fitting within corresponding recesses of said bracket, and serving to center said pin.

16. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shafthavingin one end adownwardlytapering bearing-socket, of a stationary taper pintlefitting within said socket, said pintle 2 being provided with a longitudinal oil-passage and with branch passages extending to the outer surface of said pintle, means for supporting said pintle, and an oil-cup surrounding said pintle and the orifice of said E bearing-socket.

17. In driving mechanism for centrifugal machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shafthaving in one end a down Wardlytapering bearingsocket, of a supportingg bracket, a taper pintle supported thereby but axially adjustable with respect thereto, and having a longitudinal oil-passage, branch passages extending therefrom to the outside of said pintle, and a slot, communicating with said longitudinal passage butin registry with an oil-passage of said bracket, and an oil-cup surrounding said pintle and the orifice of said bearing-socket in said shaft.

18. In a driving mechanism for centrifugal 1 machines, the combination with a revoluble basket-shaft, and a suspender therefor stationary as to rotary motion, but having means of support arranged to permit free gyration of said suspender and of the basket-shaft, x

to prevent material from the basket from en- 1 tering said hearing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GODFREY ENGEL.

Witnesses:

WM. S. GoRsUoH, J r., JAMES F. MCSHANE, Jr. 

